9 Astounding Ways to Live Cheaply

1. Live on a Train

Twenty-three-year old German university student Leonie Mueller gave into rising costs and moved from her apartment to take up permanent residence on a train. Reasoning that it would be cheaper, and inspired by an argument with her landlord she opted for a nomadic existence. She writes a blog about her experience, imploring people to question both their choices and ideas about what should be considered normal.

2. Live on a Sailboat

Motivated by exorbitant rents in San Francisco, Sarah Carter took to life on a sailboat. After purchasing a craft for under $10,000 her docking fees of $350 pale in comparison an apartment rental which would top out at over $3,000 a month. Although small, the boat is equipped with bed, kitchen, and closet. She is able to use the shower at the marina, and finds the 45-minute commute to work a small price to pay for this type of cost saving.

3. Commute 1,500 Kilometres

With rents in excess of $3,000 a month, Sam Cookney traded his home in London in favor of Barcelona, and makes the 1,500 kilometre commute to work instead. His new apartment costs only a quarter of what he had been paying, so even with the cost of airfare he figures he is still saving money.

4. Live at Work

One nameless Los Angeles man lived in his office for nearly a year and a half because he was struggling to pay rent even though he was working 60 hours a week. When a series of unfortunate incidents – including the theft of his identity and astronomical medical expenses – occurred, he felt he had no choice but to move into his workspace. He managed to save $20,000 which helped him land on his feet when he subsequently lost his job. This helped him build a tiny house which he attached to his truck, and he now has the luxury of writing for a living.

5. Live in a Truck

One creative Google employee took up residence in his truck to avoid the high rents in Silicon Valley. He purchased his 125 square foot truck for $10,000, parked it at work, and enjoys the perks of being a Google employee. The twenty-something software engineer is able to enjoy the showers, gym facilities and gourmet food his employee provides and reserves his truck for sleeping.

6. Live in a Brooklyn Commune

A steal for New York at somewhere between $1800 and $1950 a month, this commune is designed for millennials who need short term housing as they pursue studies or settle into the workforce. The catch You’ll be sharing this beautiful brownstone with 18 roommates, roughly five per floor. The building is a prototype – with more than a dozen others being planned – and with hundreds of interested applicants it seems like it is being received as a desirable cost saving measure.

7. A Shipping Container Village

Addressing the impossible cost of living in the city, a group of young professionals in San Francisco decided to try their luck in neighboring Oakland, where they set up a shipping container village. After spending $2,300 on a container for themselves in addition to half an acre of land to place it on, Luke Iseman and Heather Stewart decided to expand and offer this cost cutting opportunity to others. For $425,000 they purchased a vacant lot and a bunch shipping containers and Containercopia was born. Here, those seeking inexpensive housing can rent a container measuring 160 square feet for $600 a month, and can modify it to meet their needs.

8. A 100 Square Foot Apartment

Grayson Altenberg, took on the challenge of a 100 square foot apartment when he moved to New York in order to work as a chef at the Lincoln Center. For $1,100 on the Upper West Side his digs are a steal – but the small space has neither kitchen nor windows! The young man reasons that he can do all the cooking he wants at work, and regards Central Park to be his outdoor space.

9. Rent an RV

This Winnebago which was parked at a home in the Echo Park area was advertised as a one-bedroom “apartment” which included many amenities including utitlities, Wifi, and an on-site hot tub. Although the legality of such a rental is questionable, the price tag of $850 a month is a steal for Los Angeles.